Push-button operated permutation lock



y 1952 A. SOLER CAPDEVILA 2,598,457

PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED PERMUTATION LOCK Filed April 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 27, 1952 A. SOLER CAPDEVILA PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED PERMUTATION LOCK 4 Sheets-Sheeo 2 Filed April 14, 1947 May 27, 1952 A. SOLER CAPI DEVILA PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED PERMUTATION LOCK 4 Shee'ts-S'neet 3 Filed April 14, 1947 5 w w w M 5 Z 2 M w N I. 0 B w fi 2 V/ /A kw H y 1952 A. SOLER CAPDEVILA 2,598,457

PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED PERMUTATION LOCK F iled April 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES; PATENT. QFFICE; I

Antonio: SolereCapdevila, Barcelona; Spain;v Ap licationsApri m;ism-seria n 'twiijssszp In" Spain"April 17;,1946

3 Claims; -(Cl. 70 -299);

'l his' invention relates to the* construction of 1 lock'sfor strong-boxes-and safes; and-its ob'-- .iect" is"-a 1ockmechanism' intended to establish"- a secret or combinatidnthat is actuated by a series of buttons-or feelers arranged in such-a manner that on-someof the-'said'ieelersbeing- Dressed a' number of times determined on; the comb'ination" that "will permit' the movement-- of" the-locking arm'sor -boltsof the do'on-ofthesafeais set up.

A further'ob'jectof this invention is the-aw rang'ement of the means that permit" the secret or combination -to"' be changed at" will; for the purp'ose of'b'eing able to change itwith easewhenever this may be foundsuitable; oflering' the advantage I that the combination may be" brought ab'out by two or more persons' conjoint ly;-without itbeing= necessary for each of them to know the-secret or combinationof the other, and-the mechanism only operating when theconjunction or the whole 'of thetwo" or more partial-combinations has been carried out;

The :lock mechanism constructed accord ance with thisinvention has; as its principal I components; a certain number of feelers or but= tons supported and guided-by 4 piece in the Y shape:- of a plate "or-disc thatis attached to the front. wall of the i safe, in combination: witlr-a second plate that supports aseries ofplungers' capable of axial displacement in correspondence to or in'response to thefeelers; the saidplungers" constitutingiithe locking members; in such a- -manhen-that 'itiis. necessary to displace-axially each- SOL=th&t ithey, may bet pressed:inwards; ealchbf the required feelers'in' turncandaavariable hum-- be1,-of"times; in accordance with the previously determined combination: orssecret' established-r Each one; of 1 the: feelers is provided =-with a locking tooth or cog that. catches in the teeth offlaec'ogged rack. arranged on a cylindrical plunger placed parallel: to the feeler': in sucha manner: that; every: time s the feeleris pressed I ing teeth whose position may be varied, in com bination with a groove madeii! the bodyof the said pinslso that when-these pins"v are displaced and the grooves of each-one of them coinesmnto the plane *ass'ir'g'ned to it in accordancei-wittrithe previously carried out combination,-'- the said grooves are then-= opposite the corresponding teeth or c0gs 0f th'e movable plate or 'discy-and the *said plateds able to rotate to a certain ex tent; th'us bringin'g about the displacernent ot" v the bolts or locks," which are-thus lett "-freei andmay-be operated by means of an" independent handle on the outside:

In the attached drawingsthere is representedf as an example, a construction =of-the leckmecha nism that is the 'objec't' 'of thisiinventions Figure -1 is a view -of the 'mechanism from the outside or from -in front-of the' door-of the -safe-i Figure 2 is a frbrit viW ofthe mechanism along the lineI-I-"II- of' Fig ur'e a that is to-say I behind the-' frontal plaque of F the*'feelers';-'-

Figure 3 is a partia1.-section along the -line llI -llIj of Figure 2; showin'g the whole bldck ot the organisms operated by each feelerz- Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the wholeg alongithe plane of the? locking pins; in "accordan'ceawith :the iline-cilv-" -lvfin-Fi'gur 2;- I

Figure l 5.: is a transversaal" section along the zline V'-V in Figure-i4;- and showsi the platetliat car ries thei'slockin'g teethz I Figure fishow's' the organisms that bring aboiittheidisplacement of the' stop pin when the p1aterepresentedin Figured-revolves; and is a=sectionalong theline-VI V of Figure 4 Figure 17 is a detail 'showing the variable fihing of the locking teeth, which 1 enables 1 the secret to: beivari'ed and I adjusted at Willi" Figure 8 'is' a cross 'sectional vievf taken-on the IinE' VIII- VIIIbT nism-e 4?- I'he 'locl mechanism' ob'jct of-this invention comprises a frontal pie-qua l 6-" having severalvt feelers ll distributed-ma circle and each'one of which is constituted by a" button 1 l" as" in FigureB; attached-to amylihdric'alpiri lz 'thatp lodgesin suitable" cavities" made in the double plate"'l-3-' I 4 (Figure and situated' 'behindfthe feelerplat; The plate I 3 Ms double"; and one itbrings; thejrplunger:forward-to the extent of OnQitQQthpriCOg. tThiezplunger'i bears a pin that Drqifiqtssvbeyondjheilplatezthat supports the-:ieel--- of-the piecesof which it is composeddflhasa hollow collar =1 5 in l its center that serves as a' 1 bearing-Tor theaxle? I 5- that"-pas sesthrough the the handle IT. The other piece l3 fits into [4 forming practically a single piece and both pieces are coupled together by means of reciprocal indentations, bolts, pins, or similar means. In the center of this plate I3 is the gyratory piece 18 which rests on the outside surfaces of the collar 15, and the object of which will be explained later on.

The double plate l3l4 is provided, on its outer edge, with a series of cylindrical cavities 29 as in Figure 3, in which are lodged the pins R2 of the feelers, which are capable of axial displacement in the said cavities and are guided inside the cylindrical cavity in which they are lodged by the projection 2| that is introduced into a suit able slot or groove in the cavity, the pin being continuously pushed outwards by the spring 22. Parallel to the cavity 2|] for the feeler there is another cylindrical cavity 23 in which there is lodged a pin or plunger 24 which can also be displaced axially and is provided with a slot 25 in cooperation with pins 25 (Fig. 2) to guide its axial displacement and is, moreover, of a solid piece with a stem 26 that projects on the outer part of the plate.

The pin l2 of the feelers is split and has inside it, a tooth or pawl 21 that, by the action of a small spring 39, tends to jut out sideways through an opening or window 28 that connects the two cylindrical cavities, the tooth 2'? catching in one 7 of the cogs of the toothed racl: 29 made on the side of the plunger 25, the said plunger being pushed outwards by the spring 3E. The lower part of the plunger 2E also has a series of teeth or cogs, or a ratchet 3!, as in Figure 4, in which a trigger or lock-bolt 32 will catch, which trigger is radially displaced in a cavity made for this purpose between the faces of contact of the two half plates l3l 4, when the said trigger is pushed against the plunger by the spring 33.

In this manner, every time that the feeler is pushed inwards, the plunger 24 is brought forward to the extent of one cog or tooth and, as soon as the said plunger has reached its new position it is held there, without any possibility of its going back, by the trigger or lock-bolt 32, so that the stem or rod 26 will remain displaced towards the back to an extent corresponding to one tooth.

In a line with the stems or rods 26 there are the rods or pins 35 attached to the plungers 39 that are lodged in corresponding cavities 31 made in a circular plate 38 in the rear plate of the mechanism and pushed towards the front by springs 31'. This plate is fixedly mounted at the end of the principal axle l6 and, concentric with it there will be found, in front of plate 38, a second plate 39 that can revolve and that carries aseries of collar guides 49 parallel to the axle (Figures 4 and 5), split lengthwise, and in which there can slide in an axial direction a piece N that constitutes the stop tooth or cog, suitably guided in the collar 40 and projects on the outside through the above-mentioned split, having an appendix in the shape of a tongue 42 bent in the direction of a transverse plane with respect to the axis; the plate 39 which carries the series of collars 49 can be rotated with a limited angle. This piece 4| is able, as has already been stated, to slide axially in the hollow collar that serves as a guide for it, but its position can also be fixed at any desired or suitable point, and, for this purpose the lower edge of this runner or slide piece 4| is provided with a series of teeth or indented ratchet 43, and at the bottom or base of the colrection.

lar there is a transversal split 44. Concentric with the plate 39 and revolving on its central cube or collar 45 there is the disc 46 having on its outer edge a series of leaves or claws 41 that extend beyond the edge of the disc and are so arranged that when this disc is rotated in a certain direction they will become engaged in the slots 44 and catch in one of the teeth of the runner or slide 4| thus fixing its position more or less introduced into the collar that serves it as a guide.

On the other hand the plunger 36 of the pin 35 is guided in its axial movement inside the cavity 31 by the claw 48 that is introduced into the slot 49 of the said cavity. The said plunger 35 has, on its lower part or edge a transverse groove or slit 59 so arranged that when all the grooves are opposite the tongues 42 of the pieces 4| that are fixed at a certain height in the collars, these tongues 42 may be introduced into the grooves 50, by the rotation of the disc or plate 39. The plate 39 bears on its rear face the pin or projection 5| the end of which is introduced into the slot 52 (Fig. 6) of the slidable plate 53 situated in the inside cavity of the supporting plate 38. This slidable plate 53 is so arranged that it may be displaced vertically, and is uided by the axlecase 5A itself of the plate 38 and by a guide screw 55 that is introduced into suitable slots in said slidable plate. The plate 39 rotates, driven by the proper weight of the slidable plate 53, when all the grooves 59 are in front of the tongues 42. The movement of this slidable plate and plate 39 can also be obtained through a spring, the slidable plate displacing in any convenient di- The return of the plungers 36 to their position of departure is obtained by causing the handle ll to rotate towards the left, whereby the tooth 39 provided in the axle It, drives the plate 39 also towards the left, disengaging the tongues 42 from the grooves 59, the plungers remaining free and moving forward through the springs 31'. The slidable plate has a stem or rod 56 that extends to the outside, and its end constitutes a stop pin combined with the bolts or latches of the door, in such a manner that when it is in a position that has been fixed or determined on, it provents the displacement ofthese bolts or latches, which are worked independently by means of an external hand-wheel.

The combination is established by pushing a selected number of feelers (or all the feelers) one or more times each. The plungers, after the displacement caused by each pushing, are retained by the triggers 32.

The plate l8 mentioned at the beginning is for the purpose of causing the plungers and the pins or pegs to return to their first or original position at starting. For this purpose the plate I8, as may be seen in Figure 2, is provided with a series of openings 51 at its outer edge that form a tooth with a sloping profile 58 and on the other hand the triggers or lock-bolts 32 are provided with a small peg or taper pin 59 that projects through the said opening and lies against the sloping edge of the respective tooth.

When it is desired to annul the combination, the disc [8 is rotated through a small angl from the outside by means of the handle [1 and through the intervention of a displaceable stem 60 worked by the lateral press-button 60; the end of said stem 58 protrudes and is introduced in the bore 69" of the disc l8, whereby, upon the handle I! rotating to the right, a slight rotation is given Said disc c g on the p ns 59 and causing the radial displacement of all the triggers 32,

leaving free the plungers previously displaced, which return to their original position through the action of their respective springs 30.

respect to their collars, whereby the position of the lock-tooth 42 will also be changed, and the corresponding pin will have to be pressed or brought into action a greater or lesser number of times, according to the position of the slide piece referred to. This arrangement will enable the combination or secret code to be changed with the greatest facility when so desired, it being suflicient for this purpose to introduce a key into the back part through the opening Si, by means of which the disc or plate 46 shown in Figure 5, that carries the peripheral indentations 41, is caused to turn through a slight angle, the slide pieces 4| being left free within their guide but all of them joined to the corresponding plunger by the tongue 42, after which all the plungers are returned to their initial position training the slide pieces M, and, then by means of the feelers, the new combination that may be desired is established, whereby the pieces 4| will take up a position other than the original one and will be locked or fixed by the disc 48 returning to its position on the above-mentioned key being withdrawn.

The mechanism described permits the secret or combination to be changed at will whenever this may be found suitable and aifords the advantage that the combination can be formed conjointly by two or more persons, without it being necessary for each of them to know the secret or combination of the others, and the mechanism only operates when the whole or conjunction of the two or more partial combinations has been carried out.

I claim:

1. A push button operated permutation lock comprising in combination a central axle memher and an external handle therefor, a front supporting plate adapted for attachment to the front side of a door, a plurality of feelers arranged in a circle on said front supporting plate, a two piece plate mounted behind said front supporting plate and having a plurality of cylindrical cavities therein in alignment with said feelers, slidable pins in said cavities joined to said feelers, a pawl pivotally mounted in each said pin, spring means urging said pawls outwardly from said pins, spring means urging said pins outwardly toward the front of a door, said plate having a, plurality of cylindrical cavities therein parallel to said first said cavities and of equal number therewith,

plungers slidably mounted in said second said 6 cavities and being spring biassed forwardly, toothed racks on a side of said plungers for coaction with said pawl, a stem connected to each said plunger extending rearwardly, a rear plate having cylindrical cavities therein mounted on said axle member and adapted for attachment to the rear side of a door, a plurality of axially displaceable pins supported at one end thereof in said cavities in said rear plate and corresponding in number to said feelers, the ends of said pins being in line with said stems extending rearwardly from plungers and in proximity thereto, a rdtatable disc on said central axle in proximity to said rear plate, slidable members mounted around the periphery of said rotatable disc and each having a tooth thereon, each said pin having a transverse slot therein, said pins being differentially and selectively displaceable axially by actuation of said feelers for aligning said slots and said teeth, a sliding plate carrying a bolt stop pin thereon operatively connected to said rotatable disc, whereby upon alignment of all said slots and all said teeth said disc may be rotated by said central axle for actuating said sliding plate displacing said bolt stop pin.

2. In a lock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, said plungers having a second toothed rack radially disposed with respect to said central axle, a plurality of trigger members slidably disposed in said plate behind said front plate spring pressed toward said second toothed rack for coaction therewith, a rotatable plate in close proximity to said trigger members having a plurality of openings therein and forming a series of inclined teeth, taper pins for each said trigger and extending through said openings and contacting said inclined teeth, and means for rotating said plate having said trigger members for displacing all said triggers toward said central axle through said taper pins and said inclined teeth whereby said plungers and said pins are free to return to their original position under the action of their respective said springs.

3. In a lock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, said slidable members mounted around the periphery of said rotatable disc having a plurality of teeth on the underside thereof, a second rotatable disc concentric with said first said rotatable disc on said axle, a plurality of claw memhere on the periphery of said second rotatable disc for engagement with said teeth on said slidable members, said claw members and said teeth coacting to fix said slidable members in a predetermined position.

ANTONIO SOLER CAPDEVILA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 821,283 Dario May 22, 1906 1,616,725 Weigel Feb. 8, 1927 1,792,949 Weissenboeck Feb. 17, 1931 

